Rep. Michael McMahon begins constituent effort on Staten Island Ferry

Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimoCongressman Michael McMahon begins his 'Mondays with Mike' program wherein he rides the Staten Island Ferry with his constituents and chats with commuters. McMahon is seen here talking with John Jastremski of Castleton Corners.

With Congress in recess this week, Rep. Michael McMahon used the opportunity yesterday to inaugurate his "Mondays with Mike" outreach aboard the 8 a.m. Staten Island Ferry, listening to constituents concerned about the economy and commutation costs.

He also told the Advance he intends to urge Democratic Party leaders to back Conservative Borough President James Molinaro for re-election this fall.

"The borough president has done an excellent job," said McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn). "He has been truly tri-partisan. We have the golden age of Staten Island politics, with elected officials working together. I will urge them to consider it."

No Democrat has announced for borough president; Republicans have already said they'll go with Molinaro.

While yesterday's ferry ride could be seen as a very early campaign swing -- McMahon runs again next fall -- he took a low-key approach to greeting commuters in the ferry terminal and aboard the boat.

While some, like Linda McCaffrey of Grasmere, wanted to talk about a threatened increase in bridge tolls -- telling McMahon "It's not nice" -- others, like Michelle Heath of New Brighton, told him her street needs a speed bump.

"All politics is local," said McMahon.

Taking the time to sit with commuters worried they'll loose their company pensions, like Robert Perrotta, and higher tolls, like Jim Galizia, both of Oakwood, McMahon noted his vote against penalizing low- and mid-level workers for the mistakes of their bailed-out companies, and said he hopes state leaders can craft a package that will forestall the MTA from instituting fare hikes and service reductions.

McMahon said his "Mondays with Mike" will have him at various transportation stops in the coming weeks, and on Saturdays he'll make the rounds at supermarkets, holding forth under the banner of "Congressman On Your Corner."

"I want to bring the office to the people," explained McMahon.

On the political front, McMahon repeatedly side-stepped questions about whether he thinks Vito Fossella will run again for Congress, saying only, "I wish him and his family well."

But he did express frustration with state leaders and lawmakers, saying, "Washington provided the (stimulus) money to bridge this difficult time. The city is trying to do what it can do to cut expenses and trim services. In Albany, they don't seem to be able to manage difficult issues."